Innovative site characterization demonstration saves time and money
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Argonne National Lab., Argonne, IL (United States)
A technology demonstration that optimizes sampling strategies and real-time data collection was carried out at the Kirtland Air Force Base RB-11 Radioactive Burial Site, Albuquerque, New Mexico in August 1994. The project, which was funded by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP), involved the application of a geostatistical-based {open_quotes}smart sampling{close_quotes} methodology and software with on-site field screening of soils for radiation, organic compounds and metals. The software, known as Plume{trademark}, was developed at Argonne National Laboratory as part of the DOE/OTD-funded Mixed Waste Landfill Integrated Demonstration (MWLID). The objective of the investigation was to compare an innovative Adaptive Sampling approach that stressed real-time decision-making with a conventional RCRA-driven site characterization carried out by the Air Force. The latter investigation used a standard drilling and sampling plan as mandated by the EPA. To make the comparison realistic, the same contractors and sampling equipment (Geoprobe{reg_sign} soil samplers) were used. In both investigations, soil samples were collected at several depths at numerous locations adjacent to burial trenches that contain low-level radioactive waste and animal carcasses. Neither study revealed the presence of contaminants appreciably above risk based action levels, indicating that minimal to no migration has occurred away from the trenches. The combination of Adaptive Sampling with field screening achieved a similar level of confidence compared to the RCRA investigation regarding the potential migration of contaminants at the site. By comparison, the Adaptive Sampling program drilled 28 locations (vs. 36 for the conventional investigation), collected 81 samples (vs. 163), and sent 15 samples (vs. 163) off-site for laboratory analysis. In addition, the field work took 3 1/2 days compared to 13 days for the RCRA investigation.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States); Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 10114585
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-95-0070C; CONF-950216-18; ON: DE95006225; TRN: 95:002229
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management `95,Tucson, AZ (United States),26 Feb - 2 Mar 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
DECISION MAKING
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
SAMPLING
SOILS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
KRIGING
054000
052000
540230
HEALTH AND SAFETY
WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT